You are currently running ad blocking software. Please be aware this may prevent non-ad features of this site from working properly, including social media icons, display of products in our store, and other features. [Close this notice.]

The Natural Law Is Not Enough

I have argued repeatedly for the importance of the natural law and particularly for an appeal to the natural law in public affairs. But today I wish to introduce a note of caution. As important as the natural law is, it can obscure things that are more important still.

Most creatures reflect the glory of God involuntarily, simply by being what they are designed to be, by doing what they are designed to do. But because human persons possess the faculties of intellect and will, we must both learn and choose the good in order to glorify our Creator. This “glorifying” flows naturally from what secures our deepest happiness. It consists in proceeding toward the end for which we have been created, and its fulfillment lies in reaching our true end.

Human life, then, is rooted in right action; it is inescapably moral. The natural law, as perceived and reflected in the conscience, stamps the person with a sense of right and wrong, and of existing under a judgment; an intuition therefore of the existence of a Judge, who must also care about us; and even an expectation that this Judge will look for an opportunity to reveal his will more fully. Because these intuitions are built into our very nature, doing what is good according to the law of nature is no mere matter for philosophical speculation; it is a serious personal obligation.

In other words, the natural law is the key to what may be required of every man and woman as a matter of justice, just as Revelation is the key to what may be required of all those who voluntarily accept it as a matter of charity.

The natural law thus provides a basic framework for moral discussions among men and women of differing cultures and differing religions. Pluralism itself, so far from being a defense against the requirements of the natural law, is always bound by it simply because it is human. And so the natural law governs moral argument even between believers and non-believers, and it also clarifies the kinds of laws which a society must accept (or reject)—laws which may be prudently enacted and enforced by government even against those of its citizens who may misunderstand or deny the natural law.

Now all of this is true; all of it may be rightly said in favor of emphasizing the importance of the natural law. But it is also true that when it comes to persuading others of the right way to live, natural law arguments are historically very thin. It is difficult to point to any non-religious society which has not strayed very far from the natural law in a significant number of critical ways, despite the reality that the natural law is accessible to reason, and our very concepts of right, wrong and moral obligation are rooted in how we are made.

This leads to an essential caution. Culture after culture strays from the natural law. Those cultures which possess a strong, consistent and cohesive articulation of the natural law are extremely rare. In fact, the strongest awareness of the requirements of the natural law has always been found in Christian societies. It would seem necessary to conclude that people have a great deal of difficulty in putting the natural law ahead of their own pride and passion unless their perceptions are clarified, their resolve strengthened, and their attachments purified by Christ.

Must we not be wary, therefore, of embracing social strategies which attempt to rely on the natural law without introducing the spiritual and life-changing impact of Christ Himself?

Perhaps the quandary is best illustrated by its most obvious example. I refer to politics in what we call a secular public square. Insofar as we accept the premise that politics in a pluralist society ought to be stripped of its Christian context, we exclude an important area of life from Christian influence. As logical as this seems, surely we must suspect it to be one of the factors that actually reduces the chances of long-term political success. Contemporary political strategies almost always deliberately exclude Christ so as to be construed as reasonable and fair. Inescapably, then, the more we emphasize purely political strategies in our culture, the more we obscure Christ.

I am increasingly convinced that, at the level of politics, the natural law is more valuable as guidance for what Christians can legitimately demand from everyone through government, and less valuable as a means to bring non-Christians to a minimal moral standard for a successful social order. The former enlightens the Christian ruler about the nature of justice in the world; the latter, it would seem, requires something of the spirit of St. Paul:

When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Cor 2:1-5)

At the very least, this is something worth thinking about. The natural law is real, and it is vitally important. We all relate to it in some way, and we all need to reflect on it in order to more fully understand our being, our nature, our ends. Certainly there are occasions when a natural law argument is the best argument to make. But it would be a grave error in judgment to suppose that any appeal to the natural law is an adequate substitute for the grace and power of Jesus Christ Himself.

The natural law can appeal and it can guide. But it is grace that perfects nature. The natural law cannot convert. Neither can it save.

Jeffrey Mirus holds a Ph.D. in intellectual history from Princeton University. A co-founder of Christendom College, he also pioneered Catholic Internet services. He is the founder of Trinity Communications and CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Well said. I've long believed that it is perilous to focus too much on proclaiming the requirements of the natural law to a secular society without proclaiming with at least as much vehemence the saving power of the grace of Christ. We know by faith that, without the latter, not only can the former not save, but it can even increase cupidity and rebellion. At the least, the law without the Gospel leads people to despair, whereas today's world is in desperate need of hope.

Posted by: the.dymeks9646 -
Dec. 05, 2012 1:04 PM ET USA

The Christ story, when one thinks about it, is unnatural. If it wasn't, then no big deal. Pity and charity seem to be a break from natural law or logic. Christianity bridges the natural with the unnatural. Unfortunately, now that 20% of the American population no longer identifies itself with any religion as opposed to 3%, 50 years ago, the bridge is being destroyed, and we are left with mere sentiments driving our actions without the influence of natural truths.

Posted by: FredC -
Dec. 05, 2012 7:39 AM ET USA

Catholicism sheds much light on natural law; however, in trying to convince politicians that certain actions are immoral, natural law is indispensable. The alternative is to convince them to follow Catholic teaching -- a far greater task. Natural-law arguments are thin because so many people ignore, if not reject, the idea that mankind has a purpose. So the first step is to convince people that there is an eternal purpose to each person's life.

Posted by: Antonius86 -
Dec. 04, 2012 6:54 PM ET USA

Wonderful! Thank you, Dr. Mirus for continuing your thoughts from your column on the Pro-Life cause and on "what comes first." Original Sin has so twisted our nature that, without the new life of Christ, the vast majority of people do not defend it.

Posted by: -
Dec. 04, 2012 5:33 PM ET USA

This is an interesting piece. I think in one way, natural law is enough - and in another way it is not. Certainly, by itself, without our awareness of our Creator Who is deeply and "passionately" interested in our welfare, the natural law is thin, lacking persuasive power. easily ignored and obscured. In this way it is not enough. However consider what an excellent and just country we would have if it but governed in accordance with the dictates of nature, purpose and reason to the end.

Stay in Touch!

Subscribe to Insights

Stay on top of the latest Catholic news and analysis from CatholicCulture.org.